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It seems that human safety tests for a new Ebola vaccine have begun. Unfortunately, they're short on volunteers, which isn't terribly surprising. The vaccine itself is a novel way of engaging the immune system: instead of virus particles (which would be unacceptably risky for a vaccine, I suppose), the vaccine contains synthetic DNA, a copy of the virus's genetic code with the bits that allow infection removed.
quote:The irony, scientists and doctors lament, is that this first Ebola vaccine is probably the safest and most sophisticated vaccine ever made, without a single component coming from the virus itself.
Indeed, the product spray-blasted into Rucker's arm (no needle necessary) is by any standard a marvel of biotechnological engineering. It was designed to rally the immune system even more than a real Ebola infection would, without causing any symptoms of the disease itself.
"It's remarkably sophisticated technology," said Gary Nabel, the virologist who is leading the Ebola effort in a fast-track program that has catapulted his basic research from the lab bench to the clinic in just three years.
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I'd volunteer, except I'm not near enough. Plus, I think I'm missing one of their requirements (its quite a lengthy list).
Posts: 15770 | Registered: Dec 2001
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Interestingly enough, I think I would qualify. Too bad it's on the other side of the country. Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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(pooka in exile) I almost had it in the bag, except I was psych otic in 1992.
Hmm. That wasn't intentional, but this kid won't quit pulling my finger.
When the Human Genome project came out, I thought the said the debate over physical race was over. That's interesting that the blood composition is so different.
Posts: 383 | Registered: Nov 2003
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otic in 1992. 
